Boreham Wood 2-1 Maidenhead United
Saturday 26th November 2019, Meadow Park
Vanarama National League
The match produced plenty of second half action, but it was late drama that stole the headlines after the Magpies levelled via a Ibra Sekajja penalty, before Wood missed a penalty themselves but scored a later winner as the game entered stoppage time through Brentford loanee Justin Shaibu. This resulted in the Wood coming out with all three points, winning 2-1 to climb to 12th in National League table.
It was a quick start to the game from the home side as we piled on the pressure via the pace of Justin Shaibu and the front men Tyrone Marsh and Kabongo Tshimanga.
Sorba Thomas showed his versatility starting at left-wing back with Femi Ilesamni shifting to the back-three, and it proved an attacking switch up as Thomas looked lively and caused the Maidenhead full back bundles of trouble early on.
Changes to the starting line-up saw Justin Shaibu gain a well-earned start, and his energy and speed proved too much to deal with as the away sides midfield couldn’t pick up his runs in-between the lines.
The pressure from Boreham Wood was relentless throughout the first half as the Magpies couldn’t get out of their own half.
Kane Smith had the best chance of the half for either side after his good wing-play allowed him to compose himself and strike the ball from outside of the box with his right foot, which cannoned off the bar.
Half Time – Boreham Wood 0-0 Maidenhead United
The second half started where the first left off, as Wood continued to press and create chances on goal.
Several shots on target for the home side forced a string of excellent saves from Maidenhead goalkeeper Chris Dunn.
It was only a matter of time before Boreham Wood broke the deadlock and it was in the 73rd minute when Kieran Murtagh picked the ball up out-wide and played an inch perfect, lofted pass to Shaibu who then showed great composure to find Tshimanga who calmly slotted the ball into the far corner, Wood go one nil up.
The goal didn’t stop the Wood in their stride as we continued to create chances but failed to capitalise in order to double our lead.
However, it looked like Wood would come back to rue those many missed chance, as in the 81st minute, against the run of the play, Maidenhead were awarded a penalty after Ilesanmi brought down substitute Ibra Sekajja just inside the 18-yard box after the Magpies broke smartly after a Wood corner. Sekajja brushed himself down to take the penalty himself, converting into the bottom right corner despite Ashmore guessing the right way. 1-1.
The late drama continued in the 85th minute when Boreham Wood were awarded a spot kick after the ball struck Joe Ellul’s arm after lunging in front of a Kane Smith strike on goal just inside the Magpies box. This consequently led to the centre-half to be sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the game.
Tyrone Marsh stepped up but agonisingly failed to convert the spot kick as the Magpies keeper Dunne saved well down to his right-hand side, keeping hold of the ball to ensure no encroaching Wood players would have an easy tap in.
Despite Wood fans thinking we had squandered our winning opportunity, the late drama continued to unfold. Sorba Thomas’ corner kick was sent towards the front post where Tom Champion flicked the ball into the path of Justin Shaibu, the Dane then managed to control the ball and poke it into the back of the net to restore the lead for the Wood in the 86th minute of the game.
Boreham Wood remained resolute and saw the game the rest of the game out professionally to seal the 2-1 victory, which meant we moved to within just four points off the play-offs.
Full Time – Boreham Wood 2-1 Maidenhead United
Boreham Wood: 17 Ashmore, 3 Ilesanmi, 4 Ricketts, 5 Champion, 6 Stephens, 9 Tshimanga, 10 Murtagh, 11 Marsh, 14 Thomas, 19 Smith, 20 Shaibu. Subs: 2 Woodards, 7 Mingoia, 12 Fyffield, 15 Shakes (replaced Tshimanga), 16 Thompson.
Goalscorers: Kabongo Tshimanga, Justin Shaibu.
Maidenhead United: 1 Dunn, 3 Steer, 4 Ellul, 5 Davies, 9 Cassidy, 10 Kelly, 14 Whitehall, 15 Twumasi, 16 Sheckleford, 19 Upward, 28 Smile. Subs: 6 Grant, 11 Mensah (replaced Whitehall), 18 Akintunde, 20 Blissett (replaced Twumasi), 27 Sekajja (replaced Kelly).
Goalscorers: Ibra Sekajja.
Attendance: 623 (90 away supporters).
Match Report Written By Joe Karadzas (Press Assistant)
